PASSENGER, LIGHT TRUCK TIRE SHIPMENTS SOAR IN OCTOBER

WASHINGTON—Shipments of passenger and light truck tires to the U.S. replacement market soared in October from the same month a year ago, according to recent Rubber Manufacturers Association data. Passenger tire shipments rose 13.6 percent for the month to 16.6 million units and moved 5.3 percent ahead of 1995 through the first 10 months of the year.

Shipments of light truck tires climbed by an even greater percentage, rising 22 percent in October to 2.8 million units to stand 6.8 percent ahead of 1995's year-to-date total.

Shipments of medium and wide-base truck tires also showed strong growth during the month, increasing 8.1 percent from October 1995 to 1.09 million units. This marks the fourth consecutive month of higher shipments in this category.

Through the first 10 months of 1996, however, shipments of medium and wide-base truck tires lag 1995's total by 0.6 percent.

Data for the remaining tire categories continue to be unavailable.

In the Canadian aftermarket, shipments of passenger tires fell 4.9 percent for the month, while those of light truck tires climbed 5.3 percent.

Both tire categories are higher for the year-to-date, with passenger shipments ahead 16.4 percent and light truck tires up 9.6 percent.

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